Academy continued the excellent start to the 2016/17 SHFL
campaign, following up the 2-0 home win v Turriff with a convincing away
triumph at North Lodge Park, home of everybody's favourite to win the
championship. The result was achieved by three clinically executed goals, the
first from Gary Weir after just 7 minutes and then on the hour, after a spell
when Formartine threatened to get back into the game, Steven Anderson volleyed
high into the net from 25 yards. Anderson
completed the rout in stoppage time.

The visitors survived an early threat by packing the six
yard box while two of Formartine's highly rated strike force, Neil Gauld and
Garry Wood, each swung a boot at the ball bouncing between them.

The home fans were stunned in the 7th minute when
Davie Allan ran deep into opposing territory and played a one- two with Richard
Macadie before flicking the ball into the penalty area ahead of Weir. Keeper
Andy Reid was quickly off his line to block Weir's first effort at point-blank
range but the stocky striker coolly side-stepped to his left and slid the ball
into the unguarded net.

Around the 15 minute mark Allan again sprinted past the home
defence but although the pressure led to a couple of corners, one each side,
there were no shots Reid's goal.

Formartine fought back but when Gauld raced forward Macadie
had retreated to the 18 yard line to tackle him. Jonathan Crawford went forward
for a corner kick and rose highest near the spot to head the ball down but it
was wide of the target. Weir was back to head away a free kick from Paul Lawson
and keeper Sean McCarthy was twice called upon, stretching to catch a high
cross and diving forward to grab a low cross, both these efforts from Scott
Ferries on the Formartine right.

After 37 minutes, Davie Allan relieved the pressure sending
Weir clear on the right. Weir cut inside two defenders but from the side of the
area pulled his shot beyond the back post. Macadie set up Allan whose low drive
was only inches wide.

On the stroke of half time Jamie Michie ghosted in from the
right almost to the six yard box but hooked his shot wide.

Half Time - Formartine United 0 - Wick Academy 1

Wick restarted the game in determined mood and on 50 minutes
James Pickles won the ball and bustled forward, passing to Weir who was stopped
on the 18 yard line.

Gauld raced clear but clipped this shot wide as McCarthy
advanced to cut the angle.

McCarthy fielded a low drive from the left by Graeme Rodger
and from his 18 yard line hoisted a long clearance up to Anderson near the left touch line. Anderson headed the ball
on inside and as defenders hesitated the fleet-footed young striker ran on to
send a powerful swerving volley high past Reid's left hand.

On 65 minutes Rodger volleyed high over the bar from 20
yards. The home side were relying almost entirely on route one attacks and only
looked dangerous when they worked the ball out to Barbour on the left. He was
well policed by Michael Steven and on the two occasions that Rodger drove low
crosses in to the box they were solidly blocked by Grant Steven and Alan
Farquhar.

After 70 minutes Academy target man Weir was clattered by
Stuart Smith who had already been booked but referee Tommy Shaw was content to
award a free kick.

A couple of minutes later a Macadie drive was deflected for
a corner.

84) Low shot from Ferries smothered by McCarthy but
Formartine came straight back and McCarthy held a shot/ cross from Barbour.

Good running by Marc MacGregor, twice taking the ball up the
left to run down the clock and also closing down and harassing any defender who
had the ball.

In the first minute of stoppage time Gary Manson emerged
from a midfield melee with the ball at his feet, and made 20 yards forward
before picking out Anderson who cut in from the left to drill a low shot into the
corner of the net.